MGCSD Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS 2009

The development of this policy has been necessitated by the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS in the Ministry. HIV and AIDS affect people mainly in their prime ages, between 15 and 49 years, who constitute the workforce. The illness and subsequent deaths of workers resulting from HIV and AIDS, has an enormous impact on the Ministry’s provision of services. Resources that would have been used for service delivery and poverty reduction are diverted to mitigate the effects of the scourge.

In response to the government initiative through the Sessional Paper No. 4 of 1997 on AIDS, the Ministry has developed this comprehensive Workplace Policy as a guide in the fight against HIV and Aids in the work place. This policy is the formal starting point for the management of HIV and AIDS in the workplace as it establishes a coherent approach in addressing the issues associated with the pandemic. It provides consistency in the Ministry’s dealings with employees through the programmes, procedures and rules that flow from the policy. The policy emphasizes the need for HIV and AIDS activities to be mainstreamed into the core activities of the Ministry’s Departments, Semi Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) and Institutions. To achieve this, there is need to ensure adequate allocation of human and financial resources for HIV and AIDS programmes.

The policy provides guidance for those who deal with the day-to-day HIV and AIDS related issues and problems that arise within the workplace and also outlines employee’s rights, responsibilities and expected behavior in the workplace. The strategies outlined in this policy aim at minimizing the effects of the pandemic in the Ministry by providing the means towards greater efficiency in service delivery. The Policy’s emphasis is on performance improvement as officers will be healthier and live longer regardless of their HIV status once the condition is properly managed.

The implementation of this policy will go along way in mitigating the impact of the pandemic in the Ministry

HON. ESTHER MURUGI MATHENGE, EGH, MP

MINISTER FOR GENDER, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT